Bloodlines and Betrayals

Chapter 001

I hunched over, gasping for air.

Like a ghost in the night, she remained motionless, hiding between the trees. Across her legs rested her homemade crossbow, ready for action. Near her thigh, within reach, was a little stack of arrows. In case she needed them, she had a couple of knives hidden in her trousers.

The owls calling, the crickets chirping, the wind rustling through the branches and pulling at her loose hair, everything around her made noise. Élodie, however, remained silent. Simply take slow, steady, gentle breaths. She could not afford to have her voice heard. Not here.

She had no idea who might be observing, or someone.

She was glad for the quiet because it provided her with peace. It was well-known, secure. She never really had anything else.

She rested her head back on a piece of broken plaster that had once been a wall. She was surrounded by faded illustrations of Chiens de l'Enfer. One was particularly noticeable, an Alpha looming over a quivering Omega. The flames encircled the Alpha's muzzle, its eyes glowed, and it assumed a submissive stance. The sight made her mouth twist.

creeps.

She had always detested their fixation on power. They enjoyed flaunting themselves. Like some ancient gods, they made sure to leave their mark on every mural and abandoned location.

As she re-examined the painted Omega, she nearly burst into laughter. She bowed her head and pinned back her ears, completely surrendering to the beast before them.

Not me.

She looked up, drawn to the sky. Despite being alone, the moon shone brightly, full and pale. For a moment, she forgot everything as the silver light kissed her skin. The suffering. The terror. the sprint.

Then the memories struck.

The cries. The blood. The day her entire world collapsed.

She shivered as she recalled the unceasing cries and the scent of burning wood. She didn't even know why it happened at the time. She and her family were viewed as outsiders for reasons she did not understand.

She was only a child. She just wanted to play with the others. However, they ignored her question as if she were sick. If there were other people there, she was not allowed to use the playground. She was unable to cross the lines that her father had drawn.

He concealed them. Always.

And initially, she didn't understand.

It was a while before she understood their differences. The realisation that they were Omega Pur came as a shock. They were of a unique kind. Like legends, the good people whispered about them. The kind that people wanted to control and feared.

Although there were Alpha and Beta bloodlines as well, they weren't as similar to the Omegas. The resemblance was not even close.

What about the Alpha Chiens de l'Enfer? They desired her. Others hold her in high regard. A foolish ancient legend asserts that a child born to an Alpha Chien de l'Enfer and an Omega Pur would possess the greatest strength on Earth.

She didn't believe it.

However, they did. That was all that mattered. They hunted her down because of this. Her pack concealed her family because of this. made use of them. told falsehoods about them. They pretended to ignore the existence of Omega Pures while putting them away.

She stood there, seemingly devoid of evidence.

Then there was a sound.

crunching leaves. Sharp, wild, and too damn close, the scent sliced through the air.

From the dirt next to her, Élodie retrieved a concealed blade. Her senses sharpened like a blade as her wolf instincts took over. With her heart pounding in her chest, she turned and faced the direction from which the scent originated.

Then he went outside.

Large, muscular. An ideal representation of an Alpha Chien de l'Enfer. The sight of her brought him to a halt. He didn't even try to conceal his smile as his gaze swept over her.

His voice was low and mocking as he said, "Well, look what we have here." A small Omega brandishing a knife. The feisty ones have always appealed to me.

Her stomach churned.

She couldn't reach for an arrow because he was too close. He had already smelt her. Thus, he was fully aware of who she was.

Nevertheless, she stood up and turned to him.

With her blade up, she snarled, "Beast, try saying that again in a few minutes."

Her tone caused his eyes to widen. He looked taken aback. Then, as if it were a joke, he laughed.

He took a step closer and remarked, "Not bad for an Omega." "You believe you are the first to pursue us? adorable. However, I can spot bait when I see it. Tell me, then who sent you?

Whoa. Silently, she swore. She should have done a better hiding.

However, there was no time to be concerned about that.

She made a lunge.

He moved just quickly enough to avoid her blade, which was aimed directly at his neck. The Alpha reached for her weapon as her feet skidded across the dirt. They battled, limbs crashing, blades scraping. She retreated just enough to regroup and attempt the fight again, struggling to maintain her position.

He moves quickly.

But she was, too.

She hit again with a jolt of energy. She didn't hesitate this time. She didn't flinch. A few minutes later, he was on the ground choking and grabbing at his bleeding throat.

She was breathing heavily as she stood over him, still and serene.

The end result is always the same.

They had a lot to say. walked about as though they were royalty. But eventually, they were cowards pleading for forgiveness.

Her phone rang.

She didn't even have to look at the screen.

She replied. "Yes?"

"You seem happy. I assume he's down?

"Of course. Do you want the photo sent to you?

A chuckle emanates from the other side. "Thanks, but no. I would rather not die.

She rolled her eyes. "Your loss."

"Go now and behave like a typical college student."

She was here now.

As she stood in the Université de Saint-Rémy hallway, she appeared as though she had entered an old cathedral. Six months had passed since her acceptance, and it still didn't seem real.

She moved silently and slowly, as if she didn't belong.

Paper and dust filled the air. Soft murmurs and the sound of shoes squeaking on the floor filled the hallway. Everything seemed too neat, too ideal.

Slipping into the library, she sank into a chair.

shutting their eyes. They smiled broadly.

It was this.

Her fantasy.

It's finally paying off after years of lying, fighting, and hiding. She succeeded. admission to Saint-Rémy's most prestigious school. Admission to Saint-Rémy's most prestigious school seemed impossible for someone like her. Nobody intended for it to happen.

Omega Pures did not attend college.

So she told a lie.

What was her option?

She had someone doctor her documents and falsify records. even changed her gender certificate. She was unable to inform anyone. Not the reality. Never.

However, it was successful.

She received a scholarship from them. It was a comprehensive scholarship. She deserved to be chosen. Nobody could argue that she didn't deserve it, regardless of what she did to gain entry.

Thus, she may have violated the rules. Perhaps she went too far.

Would she repeat everything?

Absolutely.

If it meant being here, she would lie through her teeth, falsify every paper, and retake every test. if avoiding being hunted was the price. She never requested blood to define herself.

She looked around at the tall bookshelves and the students absorbed in their reading.

She clenched her jaw.

She would succeed.

Regardless.